My research focuses primarily on the ecology, conservation, and life history of amphibians and reptiles, predominantly turtles and pit-vipers.  My research spans a multidisciplinary approach to understanding these foci ranging from population ecology, demographics, spatial ecology, behavior, thermal biology, physiology, population genetics, and wildlife disease. For my larger long-term projects, I integrate this multidisciplinary approach to achieve conservation goals oriented at recovery and maintaining viable populations of imperiled species.

Key Words - Conservation, Population, Spatial, Behavioral, and Community Biology of Reptiles and Amphibians.

Professional Societies

• Turtle Survival Alliance
• Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
• Herpetologists League
• American Society of Icthyologists and Herpetologists

Conservation Related

• Illinois Eastern Massasauga Recovery Team
• Illinois Alligator Snapping Turtle Recovery Team
• Illinois Blanding's Turtle Recovery Team

Davis, O., B. Molano-Flores, Li ,Ya-Wei, M. L. Allen, M. A. Davis, J. M. Mengelkoch, J. J. Parkos III, A. P. Porreca, A. M.V. Fournier, A. P. Stodola, J. Tiemann, J. Bried, P. B. Marcum, C. J. Carroll-Cunningham, E. D. Janssen, E. F. Ulaszek, S. McIntyre, S.I Jog, E. P. F. Price, J. Nieset, T. Beveroth, A. Di Giovanni, R. J. Askren, L. J. Malanchuk, J. F. Duquette, M. J. Dreslik, T. C. McElrath, J. B. Taft, K. Stodola, A. Carter, M. Evansen, and L. Gerber. 2024. Tracking species recovery status to improve Endangered Species Act decisions. Conservation Science and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13159

Edmonds, D. A., R. R. Andriantsimanarilafy, A. Crottini, M. J. Dreslik, J. Newton-Youens, A. Ramahefason, C. Randrianantoandro, and F. Andreone. 2024. Small frog, big trouble: population decline and possible extirpation of the endangered Mantella cowanii. PeerJ. 

Jesper, A. C. B., S. A. Eckert, S. A. Ballard, J. A. Crawford, and M. J. Dreslik. Distribution and drivers of critical overwinter refugia for the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) in Illinois. Endangered Species Research. 53:467–480. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01312

Edmonds, D. A., L. Adamovicz, M. C. Allender, A. L. Colton, R. Nyboer, and M. J. Dreslik. 2024. Evaluating population persistence of Ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata) at the northeast edge of their distribution. Wildlife Biology. e01183.   https://doi.org/10.1002/wlb3.01183

Edmonds, D. A., E. Bach, A. L. Colton, I. Jaquette, E. J. Kessler, and M. J. Dreslik. 2023. Avoiding mortality: timing prescribed burns in ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata) habitat. Journal of Wildlife Management. e22510. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22510

Jesper, A. C., S. A. Eckert, B. J. Bielema, S. R. Ballard, and M. J. Dreslik. 2023. Phenology and predictors of spring emergence for the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). PeerJ. 11:e16044 http://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16044

Kessler, E. J., and M. J. Dreslik. 2023. Drivers of active and passive movement in a reintroduced population of freshwater turtles. Journal of Wildlife Management. e22511. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22511

Stewart, T. M., A. R. Kuhns, C. A. Phillips, J. A. Crawford, and M. J. Dreslik. 2023. Estimating the effort required to detect Kirtland's Snakes (Clonophis kirtlandii). The Wildlife Society Bulletin. e1498. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1498